This agriculture trade show exhibits the latest products in the specialty food industry and best practices for capturing sales leads, also featuring the world’s top chefs, food manufacturers and retailers.

In 2011, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center hosted the 57th Fancy Food Show, the annual expo that sets the trends for what you'll soon see on the aisles of your local grocery story, on the shelves of your favorite kitchen store and, retailers hope, on your kitchen table. More than 18,000 food buyers traveled to our Nation’s Capital to experience more than 4.7 miles of exhibit space. With more than 180,000 delicious products on display, the three-day show brought more than 30,000 attendees and exhibitors to the city, and further cemented DC’s reputation as a booming food town.

Attendees experienced cutting edge products offered by more than 2,400 exhibitors representing more than 80 countries around the globe. The three-day program included an awards showcase, industry expert symposiums and break-out sessions as well as an interactive cooking demonstration theatre and a social media lounge.

The city’s restaurant scene was also profiled in issues ofCondé Nast TravelerandCooking Light, while several notable DC chefs have earned nods from the James Beard Foundation for their culinary achievements. The economic impact of the Fancy Food Show—at more than $28 million in visitor spending—was particularly significant, as it took place during the non-peak summer months.

The 58thAnnual Fancy Foods Show returned to DC in June 2012. The three-day show continued to set the “foodie trends” for future local grocery shelves, bringing once again more than 30,000 attendees and exhibitors to the District.

“The District and the Center are a natural fit for this show, as the city has become a foodies’ town,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and CEO of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority.